NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Police are searching for a suspect who dropped a 50-gallon trash can from a parking garage Wednesday night that struck and injured an Ohio tourist.

Niagara Falls Police Criminal Investigation Division Detective Capt. Kelly Rizzo said it appeared that someone took the 50-gallon garbage can, filled with trash, and dropped it off the top of the parking structure. The falling can hit the woman in the head and shoulder.

Rizzo said the woman’s injuries are serious but not life threatening.

The victim and her family, visiting from Ohio, were walking back to their hotel from the falls around 10:20 p.m. when the incident happened

“As they were walking, the daughter heard a noise,” Rizzo said. “When she looked back, she saw her mother lying on the ground with garbage scattered all around.” 

Pfeiffer writes for The Niagara, New York, Gazette.